Mr. Tipton became County Administrator of St. Lucie County in November of 2014, having now served a total of 36 years in four different Florida counties. His previous assignments have included Deputy County Administrator for Orange County (Orlando), President/COO for a golf course development company, Chief Administrative Officer for the Orange County Clerk of Courts, and most recently County Manager for Brevard County. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University, a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Central Florida and completed the program for senior executives in state and local government at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

His community service includes serving on the St. Lucie United Way Board of Directors, St. Lucie EDC Board of Directors, and a Allegany Franciscan Ministries Lincoln Park Council Member. Past service includes Board Chair of the United Way of Brevard and Chair of the Mental Health Association of Central Florida, Board Member for Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, Board Member for the Brevard Cultural Alliance, and a Stephen Minister for St. Luke’s Methodist Church.

A native of southern California, Howard has been married to his wife Marion for more than 30 years and they reside in St. Lucie County.